hoeft



Sept. 10, 1929. A. R. H OEFT SHIPPING BOX Filed July 19, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 10, 1929. HOE-FT 1,727,880

SHIPPING BOX I Filed Ju y 19, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ADOLPI-I R. HOEFT, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO IIOEFI 8a COZMIPANY, ENG, 013 NORTH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SHIPPING BOX.

Application filed July 19, 1928. Serial No. 293,863.

This invention relates to improvements in shipping boxes and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a sheet metal box especially adapted for parcel post shipping and return and which consists of an open top box body and a single piece cover therefor which may be readily locked in position and as readily removed to give access to the interior of the box.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a box of this kind, a novel locking bar or plate to secure the cover to the box body and at the same time to secure the address card in place, which plate has openings therein to expose desired portions of the card and includes a handle for carrying the box.

These objects of the invention as well as others together with the many advantages thereof will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is atop plan view of a shipping box embodying one form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the box as taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the same as taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. at is a top plan View of the cover of the box as when removed from the box body.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the locking bar as when removed from the box body and cover.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a pair of cells used in the box when the box is employed for the shipping of eggs.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of parts in the upper left hand corner of Fig. 2 showlng a modified form of construction.

Fig. 8 is perspective view of a modified form of hook or latch which will be more fully referred to later.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings: 1 indicates as a whole the body of the box and 2 and 3 indicate the one piece cover and locking bar or plate respectively which constitute the closure for the box body, all made of sheet metal.

The box body which is open at its top is herein shown as being of a length greater than its width and of a depth less than its width but the relative proportions above set forth are to be considered as merely illustrative of the construction herein shown and which proportions may be changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Said box body which is open at its top end, includes side walls H, end walls 5-5 connected thereto by rounded corners 6 and a bottom 'wall 7 which is offset upwardly above the bottom edges of the side and end walls and is crimped thereto in the usual manner. The top edges of said side and end walls are turned over to form a stiffening head 8 and on the inner surface of each end wall on the median line of the box body and projecting inwardly and upwardly therefrom is a finger 9 having an aperture 9 on its top end.

The cover 2 which is of an area approximating that of the box body, includes a hori zontal wall 10 with side and end flanges 11 and 12 respectively which terminate in a roll 13 to engage upon the head 8 of the box body 1.

In each end of the wall 11 of the cover on the median line thereof is a transversely extending slot 14 which registers with an associated finger 9 when the cover is in closed position on the body so that the said fingers will project up through said slots a suitable distance. Punched up from the wall 10 of the cover are a plurality of tongues or spring fingers 1515 and 16 respectively, under which longitudinal marginal parts of an address and return card 17 may be engaged the card preferably being of such a length as to terminate at its ends at said transverse slots 14.- as best shown in Fig. &. When said card is in place on the cover wall 11, it occupies a central longitudinal position thereupon.

The locking bar or plate 3 which is of a length approximating that of the cover wall 10, is of a width somewhat greater than that of the card 17 and is defined along its longitudinal margins by raised ribs 18-18 and at its ends by upwardly extending flanges 19l9 of a height approximating that of the end flanges 12-12 of the cover. In. said locking bar are formed end and intermediate openings 20, 21 and 22 respectively, which are separated by transverse bars 23 so disposed as to cover the card holding spring lingers -15 on the cover when the locking plate is in place thereon. Said openings expose certain areas of the card which receives the addresses of the consigner and consignee respectively and the t postage stamps when the box is shipped parcel post.

In the end portions of said bar between the flange 19 and adjacent openings and 22 is "formed a transverse slot 24 which registers with the like slots 14; in the cover wall 11.

Also pivoted on said bar at each end near one side thereof is a hook which when the cover and bar are in position upon the box body may be swung so that its tree end will extend through the openings 9-' in the top end of the associated finger to lock the parts together. On each cross member of the bar on the median line of the box is fined a loop 26 to receive the ends of a folding bail 27 by which the box may be carried about.

When a box of this kind is employed in the parcel post shipment of eggs, there is used in connection therewith a filler composed of short paper board tubes 28 fixed together in pairs by end clips 29. Before said tubes are placed. in the box body a pad 30 of paper board is placed on the bottom wall of the box body and alter the tubes are placed in said box body another pad 30 is placed upon the top ends of said tubes to amply protect the contents of said tubes. It desired to seal the cover in place, a portion of each hook 25 which is bent upwardly at 25' may be provided with an opening 25 and the extreme top end oi each finger 9 may also be provided with an opening 9 through which a. sealing wire 31 may be inserted and then twisted to lock said hooks and lingers together. The address card 17 is of the kind which may be reversed by the consignee to receive the address for the return of the box when empty to the original consignor.

In Figs. 7 and 8 is illustrated a modified form of hook 525 wherein the end 25 thereof which is intended for insertion through the opening 9 in the finger 9, is formed with spaced shoulders 25 -425 which engage upon opposite sides of said finger adjacent said openings so that said hook end cannot be easily displaced from the finger in the event no sealing wire 31 is used.

The construction described may be easily manufactured without the necessity of expensive tools and dies and the parts are so simple in themselves as to readily suggest to the novice the manner of opening and closing the box.

l/Vhile in describing my invention I have referred .in detail to the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts there of, the same is to be considered as merely illustrative so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention 1. It shipping boa: embodying therein an open top our body, a cover adapted to fit upon the open top of said body, and to receive a address card thereon, a locking plate adapted to be ren'iovably engaged upon said cover and havin openings therein to expose \lt ired areas or said card, upwardly or." "iding parts upon oppositely disposed upright 'alls of said body adapted to pass through openings in said cover and locking plate respectively and means carried by said cover for engaging said upwardly extending par 5 to secure the cover and locking plate to said be body.

2. A shippii'ag b0 cn'ibodying therein, an open top llOX body including pairs of side and end walls, upwardly extending fingers disposed up a the inner surfaces 01 a pair oi said. walls, a cover adapted to fit upon the open top end ol said body and having end openings through which said fingers extend, means on said cover for securing an address card thereto, a locking plate adapted to engage upon said cover and having openings therein to expose desired por tions of said card, said plate also having end openings to register with the openings in the cover through which said fingers e);- tend, means carried by said locking plate to engage portions otli said lingers to lock said cover to said body and a bail pivoted to said, locking plate.

A shipping box embodying therein, an open top be): body including pairs of side and end walls, upwardly extending lingers disposed, upon the inner surfaces of a pair oi. said walls, a cover having a depressed wall portion and upstanding flanges to engage within the open top of said body, said depressed wall portion having openings therein to register with said lingers, card holding lingers in said cover, a locking plate having openings thereinv to expose desired portions of said card, said locking plate also having end flanges to engage the end flanges of said cover and also having openings therein. through which said lingers extend, means on said cover plate to engage said fingers to lock the cover to said body and a bail pivoted to said cover plate.

A locking member for a shipping box comprising an elongated. plate having a rib along each side of an upturned flange at til Cir

each end, said plate having a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings therein and having a transverse slot in each end near said flange, a hook pivoted on each end of said plate and a bail pivoted to said plate on its longitudinal median line between the said end flange.

5. In a box structure, a box body having an apertured member, a second member and a hook pivoted at one end upon said second member, the other end of said hook Which is adapted for insertion through the said apertured member having spaced shoulders to be disposed upon opposite sides of said apertured member after said other end of said hook member has been inserted therethrough.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11 day of July, 1928.

ADOLPI-I R. HOEFT. 

